Billet turning apparatus



May 29, 1956 M. MORGAN 2,747,720

BILLET TURNING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 19, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l :9 INVENTOR.

MYLEs MORGAN ATTORNEY May 29, 1956 M. MORGAN 2,747,720

BILLET TURNING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 19, 1952 s Sheets-Shaw; 2

INVENTOR. MYLES MORGAN ZAMMM ATTORNEY May 29, 1956 Filed NOV. 19, 1952 M. MORGAN BILLET TURNING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR.

M YLES M ORG A N Mww ATTORNEY BILLET TURNING'APPARATUS Myles Morgan, Worcester, Mass., assignor toMorgan Construction Company, Worcester, 'Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 19, 1952, Serial No. 321,366

7 Claims. (Cl. 198-43) This invention relates to billet turning apparatus and more particularly for a device for turning a billet of square cross-section coming from a furnace on its side into a position resting on its corner.

In the hot rolling of metal bars, and particularly billets, it is often desirable to have the barenter the first roll stan'dafter the heating furnace in such a position that a diagonal of the bar section is in vertical position. This is known in the art as being on the corner in contrast to being on the square, wherein the bar rests on a side. For obvious reasons, it is necessary for the bar to traverse the furnace on the square, so that it is desirable to provide some means of turning it on the corner between the furnace and the first roll stand. One method of doingthis in'the past is by use of a twisting trough in which the bar slides; the objections to the use of such a device are, first, that the bar is scratched and, secondly, that the are so cumbersome that it would be impossible to set them side-by-side in the limited width available in multiple-strand rolling. The present invention obviates the difiiculties experienced in the past in a novel manner.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the present invention to provide a billet turning apparatus whichacts "positively to turn a billet.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus which will turn billets of all sizes in an'efficient manner.

Furthermore, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a billet turning apparatus which is simple and rugged, and which, nevertheless, is capable of positioning the billet accurately.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a billetturning apparatus for use in multiple-strand rolling, which apparatus is extremely compact.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for turning billets which are traveling atvery high speeds.

Withthese and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings illustrating an embodiment of the invention and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several figures,

Figure l-is a plan view of apparatus embodying the invention with portions broken away for clarity of presentation,

Figure 2 isa sectional view, slightly enlarged, of the apparatus of the invention taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the invention taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and

United States Patent "ice 2,747,720 Patented May 29, 1956 Figure 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the invention taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 2.

Referring first to Figure 1, the apparatus of the invention, designated generally by the reference character 10,-is shown in conjunction with a furnace 11, pinch roll apparatus 12, switch 13, shear 14, and a roll stand 15. The furnace is of the usual type for heating bars and rods wherein each bar, after heating, is pushed longitudinally through a door 16 in the wall of the furnace.

Supported on the outer face of the furnace wall is the pinch roll apparatus 12, intended, under'certain circumstances, to act on the bar 'to move it longitudinally inwardly or outwardly of the furnace. The switch 13 determines the path which each bar will take and is particularly useful in the simultaneous rolling of plural strands of material; this switch is ofthe type shown and described in the patent to'I-Iawthorne No. 2,181,401 issued on November 28, 1939.

The shear 14, which follows the billet turning apparatus which is the subject matter of the invention, is of the up-and-down type and is primarily for removing cobbles. The roll stand 15 may be-any of several wellknown types, but in the present case has the rolls formed to receive and act upon a billet entering on the corner.

The apparatus 10 is shown in its general aspects in The roll member 17 is preceded by a plurality of guides '19 and is followed bya similar number of guides 20.

Referring next to Figure 2, wherein is best shown the details of the present invention, the apparatus 10 is shown mounted in conjunction with the shear 14 only a portion of which is shown. 'The shear and billet turning apparatus share a common body member 21 which, in turn, is mounted on a fixed base 22. The body member is free to slide transversely of the mill line because of suitable interlocking guidemeans'23. Side members 24 of the apparatus are mounted'by bolts 25 to the body member 21 on opposite sides of the mill line. Each side member is provided with an open-top window 26 in which resides a bearing chock 27 for retaining the roll member 17. A cap 28 is bolted over the open top of each window 26 and carries a pressure screw 29. A'shaft 30 extends from one side member 241to the other and is fixed thereto against rotation. Theguides 19 are rigidly mounted on the shaft 30 by means of integral split clamps 31 having clamping bolts 32. The clamps '31 extend along the shaft 30 a distance sufficient to permit adequate clamping and gaps are provided on the shaft between clamps. Residing in, the gaps between the clamps 31 are generally elongated pivot arms 33 which are rotatably mounted at one end on the shaft 30 for movement about the axis of the shaft. The'other end of'e'ach pivot arm 33 is provided with a contact surface 34 for engagement with a stop member 35, to be described more fully hereinafter. The lower edge of each pivot arm 33 is provided with a bearing 36 and to this hearing is pivotally attached one end of an actuating means such as a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 37. The other end of the cylinder is pivotally attached to 2. lug '38 integral with the body member 21. 'Each'pivot arm carries in its central portion and directly under the roll member 17 a lower roll member 39. Asis evident in Figure 4, the stop member 3'5is supported on the body member 21 and is capable of adjustment trans versely thereof and of ther'nill line. The stop member is formed with a lower edge adapted to contact the surface 34, which'edge is of saw-tooth conformation. 'This conformation of the stop member-is such that each pivot member is provided with an inclined surface of 'rather gradual slope forpositioning the surface 34; Transverse adjustment of the stop member positions a different portion of each inclined surface for contact by the surface 34 of the pivot arm. The guide members are fastened to the body member 21 by means of a T-slot 4t) and bolts 41.

Figure 3 shows the aspect of the apparatus presented to the oncoming billet and shows particularly well the shape and relationship of the roll members. From this view it can be seen that the roll member 17 revolves in ball bearings 42 which in turn are held in the bearing chocks 27 in a well-known manner. Furthermore, each bearing chock 27 is biased upwardly by a coil spring 43 which resides for the most part in a vertical recess 44 in the side member 24. enerally speaking, a pair of pivot arms 33 is provided to support each lower roll member 39. In the preferred embodiment there are four lower roll members, thus providing for the rolling of {our strands of material. Each pivot arm 33 is apertured and a bushing 45 resides in the aperture. The bushing in turn carries a ball bearing 46 in which resides a stub shaft 4-7 integral with a lower roll member and coaxial therewith. Each set of pivot arms and lower roll member is free to move about the axis of the shaft independently of the other such sets.

In the illustrated embodiment each lower roll member 39 is provided with a circular cylindrical portion 48 which merges with a right conical section 49, both of these portions being coaxial with the stub shafts 47. The upper roll member 17 is provided with circular cylindrical portions 5 which overlie and are generally coextensive with a respective conical portion 4? of a iower roll member. The upper roll member is also provided with right conical portions 51, each such portion overlying and being generally coextensive with a respective cylindrical portion 43 of a lower roll member. All the cylindrical and conical portions of the upper roll member are coaxial and suitable intermediate portions 52 are formed therebetween. The surfaces of all conical portions are at an angle of degrees to the axis of their respective roll member. Thus, there are four sets of coacting surfaces in the apparatus as illustrated and each set is composed of a cylindrical portion 50 on the upper roll member, a conical portion 51 on the upper roll memher, a cylindrical portion 43 on the lower roll member, and a conical portion 49 on the lower roll member. Within each set, the plane of junction between the cylindrical and conical portions of the upper roll member lies in a vertical plane slightly displaced from the plane of junction between the cylindrical and conical portions of the lower roll member, the said planes being generally aligned with the mill pass. In each case, the cylindrical portion is at least the same axial length as the conical portion which lies opposite it. It will be understood, also, that the center lines of the guides will lie in the vertical plane described above of the respective set which they serve.

The operation of the apparatus will be evident in view of the above description. A billet is heated in the furnace 11 and passes out through the door 16. The switch 13 is moved transversely to a position where its exit opening is aligned with an empty roll pass. The front end of the billet strikes the switch and is directed to the proper pass. During this operation, the pinch rolls 12 are not used. The front end of the billet enters a guide 19 and passes between the upper and lower roll members of the apparatus of the invention. The upper roll member is fixed and driven, while the lower roll member is idle and may be reciprocated toward and away from the upper roll member. When the billet first passes between the roll members, the lower roll member 39 is in a low position, but before the billet proceeds very far, the operator causes the pneumatic cylinder 37 to extend thus pressing the lower roll member toward the upper roll member. The billet enters the apparatus on the square, of course, and resting in the guide 19 and 20. When the lower roll member presses upwardly, the conical portion 49 strikes a lower corner of the billet. As the movement of the lower roll member continues upwardly, the diagonally opposite corner of the billet strikes the conical portion 51 of the upper roll member. Then, as the lower roll member moves still further, the corners slide along their respective conical portions and eventually two opposite sides of the billet contact the two parallel conical portions and the billet is securely held on the corner thereby. Since the conical portions are inclined at 40 degrees to the axes of their respective roll members and the sides of the first roll pass following the apparatus are inclined at 45 degrees to the horizontal, the billet will strike the first pass in a slightly inaccurate position. However, experiment has proven that this makes little difference in the rolling of the billet and that the 40 deg ee inclination of the conical portions of the roll members is quite important to proper action of the apparatus.

Generally speaking, the present apparatus will do away with the need for pullout rolls in connection with the furnace. iowever, there are times when the pullout rolls will still be necessary. One such time is when a small test section of the billet is cut from the end by the shear 14 and is allowed to pass through the mill to test for accuracy of adjustments of various kinds. In such a situation, it is desirable to return the rest of the billet to the furnace for reheating; the pullout rolls can, therefore, be used for assuring that all of the billet is within the furnace. In ordinary operation, however, it is undesirable to use the pullout rolls because of the fact that while the apparatus of the invention is attempting to turn the billet on the corner, the other end of the billet is still in the furnace and would be clamped on the square by the pullout rolls. It is undesirable to permit the lower roll member to move upwardly to the point where the billet is under the entire pressure available from the hydraulic cylinder and, for that reason, the stop member 35 is adjusted to an optimum point for a given size billet. At that point the upward movement of the pivot arm 33 and of the lower roll member is arrested completely. At that optimum point in the cycle, the billet has been turned on the corner and is firmly clamped between the conical portions of the roll members. There is no reason for further pressure on the billet and the limitations of the movement of the roll member at that point is proper and necessary. The reason for using separate lower roll members is to ensure proper and positive gripping of each billet independently of the others. Air pressure is preferred for actuating the cylinders 37 rather than oil since it will yield and absorb shocks, particularly as the front end of the billet enters the apparatus.

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for turning billets and the like, comprising: an upper roll member having adjacent coaxial conical and cylindrical portions, 2. lower roll member having a imilar conical and cylindrical portions, the rolls being mounted for rotation about spaced parallel axes. which axes are the axes of their respective cylindrical and conical portions, means for driving one of the roll members, the lower roll iember being mounted for free rotation and for movement vertically toward and away from the upper roll member, means for causing the lower roll member to partake of the above-mentioned movement, the conical portion of the upper roll member being coextensive with the cylindrical portion of the lower roll member, and the conical portion of the lower roll member being coextensive with the cylindrical portion of the upper roll member.

2. An apparatus for turning billets and the like, comprising: a body member, two side members fastened to the body member in spaced relation, bearings mounted in said side members, an upper roll member rotatably mounted in a horizontal position in said bearings, means connected to said upper roll member for driving the same, a shaft extending between the side members parallel to the upper roll member, at least one pivot arm rotatably connected at one end to said shaft, an adjustable stop member attached to said body member and adapted to be contacted by the other end of said pivot arm, a power actuating means connected at one end to the body member and at the other end to the said pivot arm, a lower roll member rotatably mounted on said pivot arm and underlying the said upper roll member, the said roll members being formed with conical and cylindrical portions with the conical portion of one roll member coextensive with the cylindrical portion of the other roll member, at least one guide member fixedly attached to said shaft and at least one guide member fixedly attached to the body member, both guide members being situated so as to guide the billet between the roll members.

3. An apparatus for turning billets and the like, comprising: a body member adapted to be fixed to the foundation of a mill, two side members fastened to the body member in spaced relation on opposite sides of the line of the mill pass, bearings mounted in said side members, an upper roll member rotatably mounted in a horizontal position in said bearings, means connected to said upper roll member for driving the same, a shaft extending between the side members and fixed against rotation relative thereto, at least one elongated pivot arm rotatably connected at one end to said shaft, an adjustable stop member attached to said body member and adapted to be contacted by the other end of said pivot arm, pneumatic cylinder connected at one end to the body member and at the other end to the said pivot arm, a lower roll member rotatably mounted on said pivot arm and underlying the said upper roll member, the said roll members being formed with conical and cylindrical surfaces, the conical surfaces of one roll member being coextensive with the cylindrical surface of the other roll member, at least one guide member fixedly attached to said shaft and at least one guide member fixedly attached to the body member, both guide members being situated to guide the billet between the roll members.

4. An apparatus for turning billets and the like, comprising: a body member adapted to be fixed to the foundation of a mill, two side members fastened to the body member in spaced relation on opposite sides of the line of the mill pass, bearings mounted in the side members, an upper roll member rotatably mounted in a horizontal position in said bearings, means connected to said upper roll member for the driving thereof, a shaft extending parallel to the upper roll member between the side members and fixed against rotation relative thereto, a plurality of elongated pivot arms each rotatably connected at one end to said shaft, an adjustable stop member attached to said body member and adapted to be contacted by the other end of each pivot arm, a pneumatic actuating cylinder connected between the body member and pairs of pivot arms, a lower roll member rotatably mounted between each such pair of pivot arms for actuation by the respective cylinder and underlying the upper roll member, each lower roll member being formed with a conical portion and a cylindrical portion, the upper roll member being formed with a conical portion which is coextensive with the cylindrical portion of each lower roll member and a cylindrical portion which is coextensive with the conical portion of each lower roll member.

5. An apparatus for turning billets and the like, comprising: an elongated first roll member mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, means connected to said first roll member for the driving thereof, a plurality of second roll members each mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis parallel to and vertically spaced from the first-mentioned axis, means for selectively moving each of the second roll members vertically toward and away from the first roll member, said second roll members being mounted for free rotation, the roll members being formed with opposed parallel conical portions.

6. An apparatus for turning billets and the like, comprising: an upper roll member, a plurality of lower roll members, the said roll members being mounted for rotation about respective parallel, horizontal axes, means for driving the upper roll member, the lower roll members being mounted for free rotation, means for moving each of the lower roll members independently of the others vertically toward and away from the upper roll member, the roll members being formed with cooperating conical and cylindrical portions, the said portions forming passage which approximate the shapes and positions of billets situated on their corners when the lower roll members are in positions adjacent to the upper roll memher.

7. An apparatus for turning billets and the like, comprising: a body member adapted to be fixed to the foundation of a mill, two side members fastened to the body member in spaced relation on opposite side of the line of the mill pass, bearings mounted in the side members, an integrally-formed upper roll member rotatably mounted in a horizontal position in said bearings, means connected to said upper roll member for the driving thereof, a shaft extending parallel to the upper roll member between the side members and fixed against rotation relative thereto, a plurality of elongated pivot arms each rotatably connected at one end to said shaft, an adjustable stop member attached to said body member and adapted to be contacted by the other end of each pivot arm, a pneumatic actuating cylinder connected between the body member and pairs of pivot arms, a lower roll member rotatably mounted between each such pair of pivot arms for actuation by the respective cylinder and underlying the upper roll member, each lower roll member being formed with a conical portion and a cylindrical portion, the upper roll member being formed with a series of conical portions each of which is coextensive with a corresponding cylindrical portion of a lower roll member and a series of cylindrical portions each of which is coextensive with the conical portion of the corresponding lower roll member, and entrance and exit guide means associated with each lower roll member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,887,434 Sammis Nov. 8, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,641 Great Britain July 6, 1914 406,169 Great Britain Feb. 22, 1934 

